Journal Three: Addressing Problems Of Writing Your Literary

Journal Three Addressing Problems Of Writing Your Literary Analysisre

Journal Three: Addressing Problems of Writing Your Literary Analysis Read About Journals in ENG125: Introduction to Literature for more information about the purpose and expectations for journals. As you move forward to reflect on the process of writing your Literary Analysis Draft in Week Three, watch the video Writing the Compare and Contrast Essay , which provides an overview of the writing process. This may seem familiar if you have taken a course in introductory writing (e.g., Freshman Composition, Introduction to Composition, Composition I). Keep this writing process in mind as you follow the instructions below to reflect on your work.

In this journal Discuss the process you used to write the literary analysis for the Week Three rough draft assignment.

Describe how a literary analysis is different than other essays you have written. Explain what literary concept, definition, technique or conflict you found most confusing. What did you do to try to understand that subject? Ask your professor questions about problems or issues you encountered during the writing process of your draft assignment. Take advantage of this opportunity to explain the challenges you faced so your instructor can provide advice to assist you.

Share a success you experienced when creating your draft. Why do you see it as a positive move forward in your writing process and your analysis/understanding of a text?

Paper For Above instruction

The process of writing my literary analysis draft in Week Three involved several deliberate steps aimed at developing a comprehensive understanding of the chosen text and effectively communicating my insights. Initially, I revisited the literary work, taking notes on key themes, character developments, techniques, and conflicts. This preparatory phase helped me formulate a clear thesis statement and identify specific aspects of the text to analyze. I then created an outline that organized my ideas logically, ensuring that each paragraph contributed to supporting my central argument.

Compared to other essays I have written, a literary analysis requires a deeper engagement with the text itself. Unlike summary essays, which focus on retelling the story, a literary analysis demands critical interpretation and an examination of how literary devices influence the meaning of the work. It involves analyzing symbolism, imagery, tone, and narrative techniques, which makes it more complex and nuanced than typical expository or persuasive essays.

One of the most confusing aspects was understanding how to effectively analyze literary techniques without merely describing them. For instance, I struggled with interpreting symbolism and determining its relevance to the overarching theme. To better understand this, I revisited relevant literary theory resources and sought clarification from class discussions and online tutorials. I also compared my analysis to scholarly articles to see how experts approached similar concepts. This helped me refine my understanding and apply more analytical depth to my draft.

During the writing process, I encountered challenges in maintaining clarity and depth simultaneously. At times, I found myself over-explaining certain techniques or failing to connect my analysis back to the thesis. To overcome this, I reviewed my outline regularly, ensuring each paragraph had a clear purpose and linked back to my main argument. I also requested peer feedback, which highlighted areas where my analysis was vague or underdeveloped. Incorporating this feedback allowed me to revise and strengthen my draft significantly.

A success I experienced was my ability to identify and interpret literary symbolism effectively. For example, I was able to articulate how the Symbol of the green light in "The Great Gatsby" symbolizes both hope and the elusive American Dream. Recognizing this not only deepened my understanding of the text but also boosted my confidence in my analytical skills. This accomplishment feels like a positive step forward because it demonstrated that my efforts to analyze complex literary devices can yield meaningful insights, which, in turn, enhance my overall comprehension and writing skills.

References

  • Baldick, C. (2015). The Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms. Oxford University Press.
  • Carruth, G. (2017). Literary Theory: An Introduction. Wiley-Blackwell.
  • Gerrard, T. (2017). Understanding Literature: An Introduction to Reading and Writing. Routledge.
  • Hacker, D. (2014). A Writer's Reference (7th ed.). Bedford/St. Martin's.
  • Leitch, V. B. (2010). Literary Theory: An Introduction. Palgrave Macmillan.
  • Purdue OWL. (2020). Writing About Literature. Purdue University. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/subject_specific_writing/writing_in_literature/writing_about_literature.html
  • Fitzgerald, F. S. (1925). The Great Gatsby. Charles Scribner's Sons.
  • Gordon, M. (2016). Critical Reading and Writing for Postgraduates. Sage Publications.
  • Scholes, R. (2017). Texts, Contexts, and Intertexts. Routledge.
  • Strunk, W., & White, E. B. (2000). The Elements of Style. Pearson Education.

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